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February 5, 2014

Love It: Blud novellas by Delilah S. Dawson

It was last week that I went down Delilah S. Dawson's Sang and since then, her world has haunted me. I next binged on the Blud novellas and totally loved it! It's short but full of great adventures, romance and fantasy. Even at novella length each one is a complete and independent story so for all you new to the series or are a little apprehensive about picking it up, you can read any one of the novellas as stand-alone. It's a great taste test of DSDawson's writing and the her Blud world. And though the personalities featured are related to the main characters of the series, each story is their own so you don't have to worry about inconsistencies or being mid-way through a continuous tale. What's even more promising is there is no insta-love people! Which is a wonderful surprise given the length of the novellas but DSDawson managed to write slow-burning romances that developed into these wonderful side stories that enhanced the series and the world of Blud.

I am invested in this novella because Madam Imogen Morpho is a book geek like me (and most of us) and the Blud's version of a librarian! In fact she reminds me a bit of Mary Poppins... There's more to her story but the gist of it is a famous professor sicced the Coppers (that's the police for you) on her because he wants an artifact Madam Morpho has that lends her necromancy skills. Don't worry, it's not that dark and serious except towards the end when she and the professor finally had their confrontation and let's just say, said professor didn't stand a chance.

What I find cute is she's paired up with a fellow geek like herself, Mister Vilhelm Murdoch, the gadget/automaton maker in Crimminy Stain's caravan. Two nerds in love! Isn't it cute?! It's quite lovely how these two got together and it's their mutual love for nerdy stuff that had them bonding. But don't be quick to judge, Mr. Murdoch's got a lot of tricks up his sleeves (and in his pants!) and it's quite impressive how a seemingly non-threatening individual would sic feral things if someone makes the mistake of going after his lady. THE MYSTERIOUS MADAM MORPHO is my favorite novella among the three.

This novella is possibly the sweetest and most wholesome of the three. Frannie Pleasance is a pet shop owner and a compassionate one at that. One day she chanced upon a stranger who resembles a lot like her dead brother. This instantly endeared said stranger to her which happened to be a infamous pianist, Casper Sterling. Soon after, a few accidents befell Frannie, one of which is an attempted arson, and this is how she met the dashing and ruggedly handsome Scottish fireman Thom Maccallan.

These two had an instant connection and Frannie's slew of accidents made Thom very protective of her. Turns out that the assassination attempt was intended for someone else! The mystery was exciting and the attempts inventive what with harmless kittens turned blud suckers or Frannie turning into an archery target. Nevertheless, this fortified her bond with Thom and their love story is quite sweet actually. Both have a tragic past in love which makes THE PECULIAR PETS OF MISS PLEASANCE some sort of a second-chance-in-love kind of story.

My only regret is Casper Sterling. I first met him in Wicked As They Come and I never realized how messed up this boy is. I'm hoping he'll get his HEA soon because this dude is in serious need of redemption!

This is the most exciting novella of the three and the longest. Jacinda Harville is a journalist writing a book about Crimminy's caravan. Aside from this endeavor, Jacinda is really curious about Daggerman, Marco Taresque, whom she suspects killed his last assistant because nobody has heard or seen her since in a long time. Whilst in the process of interviews, Jacinda and Marco develops this flirtatious and sexually tense relationship. I guess being a target or playing assistant to Marco was some sort of foreplay for these two because it was certainly intense when they finally did the ugly.

As for the mystery about the missing assistant? Let's just say it would be better if she remained missing.

No insta-love in a novella? Say what?! Hehe... these sound pretty awesome, Braine. I'm especially intrigued with the premise of The Mysterious Madam Morpho. I need to get into these books soon! Glad you're enjoying them so much. =)

I have not read Delilah Dawson before, Braine. But since you're such a fan :) I'll give her a try. I'm excited that she could develop her characters and build a romance that impresses you...in a novella! Lovely review!!